Ibsen was a major 19 th century playwright, theatre director, and poet.
Ibsen is often referred to as the
“father of prose drama,” and is one of the founders of
Modernism in theatre.
In his era, many of his plays were considered scandalous because of their stance toward issues such as morality and their depiction of family life.

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The ideals present in Europe and Norway at the time the play was written in
1870 are clearly shown in the play.
 Torvald represents the “bourgeois respectability” atmosphere that was rampant during the 19 th century. His attitude reflects what characteristics give respectability to19 th century upper and middle class such as financial success, social mobility, freedom from debt, a stable and secure family established under traditional patriarchal values, and the absence of moral guilt.
 Another ideal present in the play is the impact that one’s lineage has on future generations. Crimes and immoral acts committed by the father are paid for by the son.
For example, Nora’s children would have been doomed because of her heinous actions.

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In 19 th century Europe and Norway the rights of women were virtually non-existent. It was believed that it was the “order of nature” for women to obey men and to remain dependent on them their entire lives, first as daughters and later as wives. Women were expected to absorb opinions and ideas rather than to have their own.

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 Women gave up what rights they did have when they became married for example the right to control their own earnings.
 Married women were not allowed to enter into any contracts, couldn’t control any earned wages, or take part in any legal transactions.
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Women were economically, socially, and psychologically dependent on their husbands.
 Divorce wasn’t socially accepted, in certain places illegal, and if a divorce was granted, full custodial power was automatically given to the father.

Nora’s actions in the play spark controversy because of her actions, motives, and beliefs. Nora uses
Torvald’s assumptions about women to control his emotions. She gets power over him when she acts as she “should.” Her secret loan and forgery aren’t, in the play, attributed to her moral character, but to her love for her husband. It is her departure that is viewed most unacceptable to 19 th century society.

However honest her intentions,
Nora commits the most unthinkable crimeabandonment of her husband and children. However Nora leaves because she doesn't’ know who she is as an individual. In this century her identity was previously characterized by her role as wife and mother.

“A Doll’s House” was a very accurate representation of a middle class marriage. Torvald and Nora portray a typical 19 th century lifestyle and her departure was viewed as an unacceptable act. So much that in come countries, like
Germany, the ending was changed. In that version Torvald and Nora live happily ever after.